Phalaenopsis orchid plant named ‘Izzy’

ABSTRACT

A new and distinct  Phalaenopsis  plant named ‘Izzy’ particularly characterized by flowers which are white with a little yellow/green in the labellum; plants which may be propagated economically and uniformly using tissue culture; plants which produce more than one inflorescence; long and sturdy inflorescences; and relatively short, dark-green foliage.

Latin name of the genus and species of the plant claimed: Phalaenopsis hybrida.

Variety denomination: ‘Izzy’.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to a new and distinct cultivar of Phalaenopsis plant, botanically known as Phalaenopsis of the Orchidaceae family, and hereinafter referred to by the cultivar name ‘Izzy’.

Phalaenopsis comprises a genus of about 55 species of herbaceous perennials many of which, or the hybrids thereof, are suitable for cultivation in the home or greenhouse. Phalaenopsis is predominantly epiphytic or rock-dwelling, and is native to tropical Asia, the Malay Archipelago, and Oceania. The species typically has 2-ranked, fleshy, oblong or elliptic leaves affixed to a short central stem (monopodial growth), which vary in size from 5 to 8 inches to over 2 feet. The leaves may be entirely green or mottled with silver grey.

Phalaenopsis orchids, often referred to as ‘Moth Orchids’ in the horticultural trade, are frequently used to furnish cut flowers for the florist trade or sold as flowering potted-plants for home or interiorscape.

Phalaenopsis produces upright or pendent lateral racemes, often with many showy flowers which open in succession beginning with the lowermost. The flowers possess three sepals and three petals; the lateral ones being alike. The lowermost petal, called the labellum, is three-lobed and is often more brightly-colored than the other flower segments. Flower colors include various shades of pink, white, yellow and red-brown.

Phalaenopsis orchids are typically propagated from seeds. Asexual propagation of Phalaenopsis is often done from off-shoots which frequently arise from the lower bracts of the inflorescence. The resulting plants are detached from the mother plant and may be planted in a suitable substrate.

The new Phalaenopsis ‘Izzy’ is a product of a controlled breeding program conducted by the inventor, René Schoone, in Strengweg, Heemskerk, The Netherlands. The objective of the breeding program was to develop a new Phalaenopsis cultivar particularly characterized by its attractive and unique colored flowers, economical propagation via tissue culture, rapid growth, and a plant dimension suitable for packaging and shipping to the market.

The new Phalaenopsis ‘Izzy’ originated from a cross made by the inventor in 2002 in Strengweg, Heemskerk, The Netherlands. The female or seed parent is the Phalaenopsis cultivar designated ‘(amabilis×(White Castle×Moon World)’, unpatented. The male or pollen parent is the Phalaenopsis cultivar designated ‘Musashino’, unpatented. The new Phalaenopsis ‘Izzy’ was discovered and selected by the inventor as a single flowering plant within the progeny of the stated cross in a controlled environment in 2010 in Strengweg, Heemskerk, The Netherlands.

Asexual reproduction of the new Phalaenopsis cultivar by tissue culture (mericloning) was first performed in July, 2010 in Cieweg 13, Heemskerk, The Netherlands, and has demonstrated that the combination of characteristics as herein disclosed for the new cultivar are firmly fixed and retained through successive generations of asexual reproduction. The new cultivar asexually reproduces true-to-type.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

The following traits have been repeatedly observed and are determined to be unique characteristics of ‘Izzy’, which in combination distinguish this Phalaenopsis as a new and distinct cultivar:

-   -   1. flowers which are white with a little yellow/green in the         labellum;     -   2. plant produces more than one inflorescence;     -   3. plants may be propagated economically and uniformly using         tissue culture;     -   4. inflorescences are long and sturdy; and     -   5. relatively short, dark-green foliage.

In comparison with the parental cultivars of ‘Izzy’, the flowers of the female parent ‘(amabilis×(White Castle×Moon World)’ are white with yellow in the labellum and about 11 cm in size, the flowers of the male parent ‘Musashino’ are white with red in the labellum and a little yellow, whereas the flowers of ‘Izzy’ are white with a little yellow/green in the labellum and about 95 cm in size.

Presently, the commercial cultivar to which ‘Izzy’ can be meaningfully compared is ‘Silidream’. The flowers of ‘Silidream’ are bigger in size than the flowers of ‘Izzy’. Also has ‘Silidream’ more yellow in the labellum than ‘Izzy’. The apex of the lateral sepals of ‘Izzy’ are more pointed than the apex of the lateral sepals of ‘Silidream’.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE PHOTOGRAPHS

The accompanying photographs illustrate the overall appearance of the new Phalaenopsis ‘Izzy’ showing the colors as true as is reasonably possible with colored reproductions of this type. Colors in the photographs may differ slightly from the color values cited in the detailed botanical description, which accurately describe the color of ‘Izzy’.

FIG. 1 shows a side view perspective of a typical flowering plant of ‘Izzy’ in a 12 cm pot, at 16 months of age.

FIG. 2 shows a close-up view of the typical flower of ‘Izzy’.

FIG. 3 shows a close-up view of the typical leaves of ‘Izzy’.

DETAILED BOTANICAL DESCRIPTION

The new Phalaenopsis cultivar ‘Izzy’ has not been observed under all possible environmental conditions. The phenotype of the new cultivar may vary with variations in environment such as temperature, light intensity, and day length without any change in the genotype of the plant.

The aforementioned photographs, together with the following observations, measurements and values describe plants of ‘Izzy’ as grown in a greenhouse in Strengweg, Heemskerk, The Netherlands, under conditions which closely approximate those generally used in commercial practice. Initially, the ideal temperature to grow plants of ‘Izzy’ is 27° C. during the day and at night. Then, during the flowering phase of ‘Izzy’, the ideal growing temperature is 20-22° C. during the day and 18° C. at night. Light levels for growing ‘Izzy’ are a minimum of 5,000 lux and a maximum of 10,000 lux. A balanced fertilizer with level of 200 ppm N, 87 ppm P, 168 ppm K is applied. Duration of growth of ‘Izzy’ from potting size is between 10 and 14 months.

Color references are made to The Royal Horticultural Society Colour Chart (R.H.S.), 2007 edition, except where general colors of ordinary significance are used. Color values were taken under daylight conditions at approximately noon in Zaandammerweg, Assendelft, The Netherlands. The age of the ‘Izzy’ plants described is 12 months after potting.

-   Classification:     -   -   Botanical.—Phalaenopsis hybrida. -   Parentage:     -   -   Female or seed parent.—Phalaenopsis cultivar designated             ‘(amabilis×(White Castle×Moon World)’, unpatented.         -   Male or pollen parent.—Phalaenopsis cultivar designated             ‘Musashino’, unpatented. -   Propagation:     -   -   Type.—Tissue culture.         -   Rooting habit and description.—Fleshy; approximately 3 mm-8             mm wide and greyed/green in color (RHS 190B); freely             branching. It takes 12 weeks for plants growing in tissue             culture to initiate roots. -   Plant:     -   -   Size at maturity.—Height (from bottom of pot to highest             flower): about 60 cm. Spread: about 45 cm.         -   Growth habit.—Standard; green leaves (RHS 137B) and a             relatively normal raceme.         -   Vigor.—Moderate.         -   Crop time.—Following asexual propagation, at about 26 weeks             2 leaves appear; at about 30 weeks 3-4 leaves appear; after             a cold treatment of about 4-8 weeks at a temperature of             about 19° C. about 1-2 racemes with flowers appear. -   Foliage:     -   -   Quantity per plant.—About 6-8 leaves are produced before             flowering.         -   Arrangement and attachment.—Half up/horizontal and on two             sides.         -   Overall shape of leaf.—Oval; the tip is blunt and             asymmetric.         -   Texture (upper & underside).—Smooth and leathery.         -   Pubescence.—None.         -   Mature leaf length.—About 22 cm.         -   Mature leaf width.—About 9 cm.         -   Mature leaf thickness.—About 2 mm.         -   Mature leaf color.—Upper side: green (RHS 137B). Under side:             yellow/green (RHS 146A).         -   Leaf base.—Acute.         -   Margin.—Entire.         -   Venation.—Pattern: parallel. Color of midvein: Upper side:             green (RHS 137B). Under side: green (RHS 146B). -   Inflorescence description:     -   -   Appearance.—Upright to slightly pendant, racemose             inflorescence with bilaterally symmetrical flowers that open             in succession beginning with the lowermost flower. -   Raceme:     -   -   Quantity per plant.—About 1 to 2.         -   Number of flowers per raceme.—About 15.         -   Length.—About 65 cm.         -   Diameter.—About 7 mm. -   Peduncle:     -   -   Length.—About 15 to 25 cm.         -   Diameter.—About 4 to 5 mm.         -   Strength.—Strong.         -   Aspect.—Upright.         -   Texture.—Glabrous and smooth.         -   Color.—Yellow/green (RHS 146A) with brown (RHS N200B). -   Buds:     -   -   Height (from base to tip).—About 20 mm.         -   Diameter (at midpoint).—About 18 mm.         -   Shape.—Oval/egg-shaped with a bump on one side.         -   Color.—Yellow/green (RHS 145A and RHS 145C) with a             red/purple haze (RHS 71A).         -   Orientation.—Same as flowers (forward facing). -   Flowering time: For an untreated plant (flowering plant that has not     undergone cold-treatment where the plant grows at a temperature of     18° C. to 19° C. for about 4 to 8 weeks after a period of about 30     weeks at a temperature of 25° C.), 1-2 racemes appear with flower     buds and flowers. First flowers can be expected approximately 4 to 6     months after planting a plant with a leaf diameter of 3 to 5 cm.     Flowers persistent. -   Flowering longevity: On the plant: about 4 to 6 months; lastingness     of cut flowers: has not been observed. -   Fragrance: No fragrance. -   Flower:     -   -   Rate of opening.—Flowers fully opened about 2 to 3 days             after petal and sepal separation.         -   Orientation at opening.—Slanted upward and outward.         -   Shape.—Typical shape of Phalaenopsis; see FIG. 2.         -   Size (of single bloom).—Height: about 80 mm. Diameter: about             90 mm.         -   Quantity and arrangement.—Three petals and three sepals that             are trimerous, overlapping and arranged in 2 whorls. Petals             are more pronounced than sepals. -   Petals:     -   -   Arrangement.—Inner whorl comprises 3 petals: 2 lateral             petals and a labellum.         -   2 lateral petals.—Overall shape: broadly ovate and weakly             cupped. Apex: oval. Margin: entire and weakly undulate.             Base: broadly ovate. Length: about 50 mm. Width: about             40 mm. Texture: Upper surface: smooth and satiny. Under             surface: smooth and satiny. Color (when fully opened): Upper             side: white (RHS NN155C). Under side: white (RHS NN155C).         -   Labellum.—Overall shape: 3-lobed with 2 prominent             callosities at central junction of the lateral lobes and             base of the midlobe. Lateral lobes of labellum fold upward             about the column; the midlobe extends forward and is             terminated by 2 filiform appendages at the apex. Lateral             lobes of the labellum are ovate in shape while the midlobe             is triangular with a bump and a rib on it. Margin: entire             and weakly undulate. Apex: oval. Length: about 20 mm. Width             (not flattened): about 22 mm. Depth of tube created by             lateral lobes of labellum: about 13 mm. Texture: Upper &             under surface: smooth and satiny. Color (when fully opened):             Mid lobe, upper side: main color is white (RHS NN155C). In             the center yellow and on the upper edges green/yellow (RHS             1A). At the base a little red/purple (RHS 71A) and also a             very small edge of red/purple on the upper edge (RHS 71A).             Under side: main color is white (RHS NN155C). At the upper             edges a thin red/purple edge (RHS 71A). After that some             green/yellow (RHS 1A) which runs into yellow/green (RHS             145C). On the mid vein also some yellow/green (RHS 145C).             Lateral lobes, upper side: main color is white (RHS NN155C).             At the lower edges yellow (RHS 5A) and green/yellow (RHS             1B). From the base some red/purple stripes (RHS 71A). Under             side: white (RHS NN155C) with at the lower edges some yellow             (RHS 5A).         -   Cirrhi.—About 7 mm. Color: white (RHS NN155C).         -   Pestle (callosities).—Length: about 4 mm. Width (not             flattened): about 5 mm. Color: main color is yellow (RHS 6A)             with red/purple spots (RHS 71A). In the center and on the             sides some white (RHS NN155C). -   Sepals:     -   -   Arrangement.—Outer whorl comprises 3 sepals, one dorsal and             two lateral sepals.         -   Overall shape.—Elliptical and weakly cupped.         -   Margin.—Entire and weakly undulate.         -   Length.—About 40 mm.         -   Width.—About 27 mm.         -   Apex.—Oval; dorsal has little notch, lateral is little             pointy.         -   Texture.—Upper and under surface: smooth and satiny.         -   Color (when fully opened).—Upper side, dorsal: white (RHS             NN155C). with light yellow/green haze (RHS 145D). Lateral:             white (RHS NN155C) with a yellow/green haze (RHS 145C). At             the base some red/purple spots (RHS 70A). Under side,             dorsal: white (RHS NN155C) with a yellow/green (RHS 145D)             haze in the center and around that a red/purple haze (RHS             70A). Lateral: white (RHS NN155D) with yellow/green (RHS             145B and RHS 145C). -   Pedicel:     -   -   Length.—About 40 mm.         -   Diameter.—About 4 mm.         -   Texture.—Glabrous and smooth.         -   Color.—Starting at the flower yellow/green (RHS 145D) with a             little red/purple haze (RHS 70A), which runs into             yellow/green (RHS 145A) and then grey/orange (RHS 177A). -   Reproductive organs:     -   -   Arrangement.—The stamens, style and stigmas are fused into a             single, short structure called the column, possessing one             terminal anther with pollen grains united into a pollinia,             which are covered by an anther cap. The stigma is located             under the column behind the pollinia. The ovary is inferior             with three carpels present. The plant has not produced seed.         -   Column.—Length: about 9 mm. Diameter: about 5 mm. Color:             white (RHS NN155C).         -   Pollinia.—Quantity: two. Diameter: about 3 mm. Color:             yellow/orange (RHS 23A).         -   Ovary.—Length: about 5 mm. Diameter: about 5 mm. Color:             white (RHS NN155C). -   Disease/pest resistance/susceptibility: No specific resistance or     susceptibility observed. -   Temperature tolerance: Tolerant to a low temperature of about 15° C.     and to a high temperature about 30° C. 

What is claimed is:
 1. A new and distinct Phalaenopsis plant named ‘Izzy’, as illustrated and described herein. 